How To Write A PhD Thesis: Formatting Hints

Formatting requirements for your PhD thesis will differ, depending on the specific topic, department, field of study, and institution you are attending. It is important to follow the process set forth by each of the entities above, as we all as some of the requirements that are typical of all thesis works of research.

There are many different areas that formatting can vary from department to department, school to school, and even between disciplines. This is why it is so important to communicate and ask questions about your requirements early and often.

Structure Requirements:

Typical thesis projects should include titles pages, abstracts, specific chapters that cover points of research, tables of contents, and bibliographies. Some may also require Works Cited information, depending on the department.

Because the structure can differ by areas of study, it is important to stay on top of the differences in structural requirements for each piece. The structure of the thesis helps the researcher effectively explain, in order, what the research question was, how they completed their research, what sources and methodology they utilized, and what the overall answer was to the question reviewed.

Style Requirements:

Each field and department has its own style requirements that differentiate their thesis projects from the rest. Some style requirements include specifics for categorizing sources, and some simply consist of requirements for layout and font choice. Others have requirements for every single piece of the paper – even so far as the color or shade of the paper it is printed on for presentation. Presentation requirements involving style widely vary – and it is important to follow up on the requirements of your department to fully understand what is expected.

Formatting Hints:

Since there are so many specific requirements that vary from institution to institution, and even from field to field, it is important that each student do their due diligence in researching the requirements imposed on their project.

Most organizations pair each student with a department contact that can assist them in the process of completing their thesis. If you find that the documentation you were offered to get started doesn’t answer formatting questions that you have, contact your contact person immediately. The earlier that you address your confusion or concerns with the format process, the easier it will be to overcome and gain better understanding. It is also much easier to learn before starting than to go back and apply changes to a completed thesis.